Quick Tip: 3 Tips for Making Readers Love Your Characters
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- Опубліковано 7 лис 2024
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Reader's fall in love with characters, not plots. Good point.
But my character's name is Plot. :(
@@JustBCWi lol
@@JustBCWi reminds me of the main character in "Snow Crash." His name is Hiro Protagonist. 😁
Not gonna lie, I got a bit torn up about the marine who only existed for 20 seconds there...
Sometimes we love rich characters. Like Tony Stark and Dr. Strange.
Notice that with Tony Stark his wealth was immediately stripped from him in the first movie. He ended up in a cave, where that wealth could provide no advantage. Stephen Strange got in a car accident that destroyed his ability as a surgeon. In both cases their wealth cannot help them. You can definitely do rich characters, but notice that they are still made the underdog in some way =)
@@ChrisFoxWrites Good points. Sometimes wealthy can work tho, if there are some other elements to the story. Some struggle the character must fight through.
@Tom's Ghost I guess they can't be liked by all.
Stan Lee on creating Tony Stark : "I think I gave myself a dare. It was the height of the Cold War. The readers, the young readers, if there was one thing they hated, it was war, it was the military....So I got a hero who represented that to the hundredth degree. He was a weapons manufacturer, he was providing weapons for the Army, he was rich, he was an industrialist....I thought it would be fun to take the kind of character that nobody would like, none of our readers would like, and shove him down their throats and make them like him....And he became very popular."
@The Armchair Spaceman Tom Stark is undeniably likeable. He's the most human character on the Avengers. We see him respond to his humbling cave experience by going out and fixing the problems he created. From Iron man 3 to Infinity War, he's the only one who copes with consequences of Avengers, ie his anxiety over an alien invasion. Ironically, the iron man is the most human hero of all
This is a kind of old video but that first quote you said is very very true. After reading Peter F Hamilton's "Pandora's Star" and "Judas Unchained" I realized I cared a lot about the characters and the worldbuilding more than the plot. The plot was obviously memorable but oh my god I will never forget Paula Myo or Ozzi and the tribulations they went through and how they evolved throughout the plot.
I see ALL three of these at play in a book I read recently: "The Wicked King" by Holly Black. 1.) The protagonist is disadvantaged. She is a human living in the land of faeries after a vengeful redcap killed her parents. She's mortal. She's bullied. She has no magic, and she is vulnerable to being enchanted by faeries. 2.) Context - she has a foil. Her twin sister is her opposite. Where the protagonist is tough, shrewd, ruthless, and strategic, her sister is weaker, sweeter, more naive and seeks to please others. 3.) She is vulnerable. Besides her weaknesses as a mortal, the protagonist goes through a harrowing experience in the book that seriously weakens her and shows her vulnerability. It was one of the best parts of the book to see how she dealt with it and how the experience changed her. Great stuff, as usual, Chris!
Good stuff, Chris. My editor also likes to talk about being able to disagree with your characters. In horror, it's a common (and sometimes cliche) to intentionally write terrible people so that it lessons the impact when the carnage inevitably starts happening. You don't want your asshole characters to come off as if you the author are agreeing with them.
Great content! Would really benefit from a video on how to balance likability of villains with either: sympathetic flaws/motives OR pleasantly surprised strengths
Thank you good sir, you just solved one of my characters.
Congrats on finishing Burt. Great book. Loved it.
The book "Save the Cat" talks about this! It's a book for screenwriters, but so much of it applies to novels, too. In just about any (good!) movie, the main character will perform some good or kind act at the very beginning of the film. Sometimes they *literally* save a cat. Other times it's more subtle. One example from a movie I watched recently is at the beginning of "Billy Elliot," Billy rescues his grandmother, who suffers from dementia and has wandered out of the house. Having a character "save the cat" at the beginning of the story lets the audience know that the protagonist is basically a good person that we can root for, though they'll surely also have flaws. Try looking for the "save the cat" moment the next time you watch a movie or read a book! 🐱💕
My third novel was called Hero Born, and my initial beta readers all told me they didn't like the protagonist. One friend suggested I read Save the Cat, so I did. I changed the plot so my character saves a woman in a crosswalk, and all of a sudden people started liking him. Save The Cat is an amazing read!
@@ChrisFoxWrites that's amazing! 😄
'Save the Cat' is on my list of books to read. Thanks for reminding me about it!
This is super helpful right now. Been conflicted with some characters lately. Added this to my future reference list. Thanks so much! :D
Great tips thank you!
Wow, this is funny! We just covered this in my Screen Writing Class Today!!! Great Video.
Great tips, I agree wholeheartedly about vulnerability and giving characters some weakness or disadvantage to overcome. More than anything else I think readers just want someone they can either relate to, is fascinating, or has some characteristic they can admire. I want to slap Scarlett O'Hara, but I still find her worthy of following through a bazillion pages of Gone With the Wind.
Thanks for articulating the point about context!! I've noticed it before (and had the same exact thought about Jaime Lannister), but hadn't heard or read anyone else address it. Personally, I find that because of context it FEELS as though Jaime Lannsiter has a character arc (and becomes a better person), even though I logically know he doesn't.
That was awesome. Now I’ve gotta buy Plot Gardening!
Love these quick tips!
About weakness: avoid cliche. Womanizing and alcoholism are not the kind of weakness that engender sympathy.
Agreed. Alcoholism, drug or sex additions have been done to death and will cause many readers to instantly check out. I know I will. I'm sure there are great stories with all three, but in commercial fiction people are looking for something a little fresher.
But, that's what makes me empathize with James Bond. Its that you don't understand why he does so that makes you think it doesn't engender sympathy.
@@JustBCWi James bond is part of why new authors can't easily get away with alcohol or womanizing. It dominated fiction for almost fifteen years, and has never really gone away.
@@ChrisFoxWrites Only dominated for 15 years? :) I would think 50. While I agree on the desire for being commercially successful, if the story calls for a womanizing alcoholic, let it ride. It's a fault, something the character is afflicted with. But, it has to fit the story.
@@ChrisFoxWrites
I think the womanizing or sex addiction especially applies to darker stories. I remember reading Furies of Calderon, where a major character is a (homicidal) nymphomaniac and just feeling repulsed by it. It felt like the author (Jim Butcher) was trying to ape Martin, but ignored giving the character depth, instead focusing on edgy themes. Combining sex and violence can really easily go over into cheap shock territory, especially with the darker trend in the wake of Martin's success.
He’s got that giga beard 👊🏽
That are great tips, right on the point. Really love your videos!
Do you have a suggestion for a reader magnet for authors who are just starting out? I currently have 1 book of a trilogy out (2nd book soon to be published in a week or so). It is a middle-grade fantasy adventure based on Peter Pan (the main character is Capt. Hook's daughter and Pan is somewhat of a psychopath but I digress). In book 1, I had a couple characters that were at the beginning of the book that readers really loved and seemed to want to know more about. Should I start with a story about one of them? Thanks! Btw, I'm finding your videos super informative and helpful! :)
That's definitely where I'd start. If fans express a favorite, and you enjoy writing the character, then cook up a fun plot and give it a shot =)
Nice tips!
Great tips. Any further resources or a book that talks more about such things? I have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg for character driven stories.
Character and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card is the gold standard.
I wasn't a huge fan of Card's book, and preferred Nancy Kress's Character, Emotion, and Viewpoint. I think it might only be available in paperback, but it really helped me early on. If you haven't read Plot Gardening I do cover a lot of character stuff.
Thanks! Will check everything out 👍
Can you please, PLEASE use "automatic subtitles" in your videos? Thank you very much.
Suppose the point is to make the character hated at first, until she comes to realize what a jerk she was and by the end of the story ends up becoming a nicer, more humble individual. Part of the point is that there's a lesson to be learned here. The character I'm writing in one of my novels is essentially an "Anti Harry." She is the rich kid, not so rich that she rides around in limos all the time, but she does have wealthy parents and comes from an advantaged family. She's essentially a snarky know it all until she's thrust into a world that she knows nothing about. She learns there's one thing she can't do: Magic. The reason is due to a random genetic anomaly, she's immune to magic. She cannot use magic, and magic has no effect on her, and it frustrates her that this is one thing she cannot do. But, the experience ends up humbling her and she ends up caring for the people around her. When she finally does return to her world, she is a much nicer person because of the experience.
Now, how is that for a character?
Can you tell me a good way of making a main character with a physical flaw?
And also how do you make somebody sympathize somebody who is alreadyrich but not have gone to school?
He just gave you an example. ;) The best writing comes when we struggle to figure it out on our own. When ideas are handed to us, they never seem to work out. I would go back over the example he gave and try and pick out others in other books/movies. See what resonates with you, then completely change it up. Through the work, you gain valuable insight that will help you in future works.
@@Deankut thanks
Im new to writing and im 14 soon to be 15
So im young stupid and naive so Im just an amateur
San, not at all. Stick with Chris's videos. Go back and watch all of them. He's a great writer, teacher, and mentor. You can learn a lot from him and this channel and his books (both non-fiction/fiction). Being a novelist is very hard work, and we all learn something new everyday. The writer community is filled with peeps that help one another. That's what I love best about this job. Stick with it, work hard at finding your voice and process. You can do it. Best of luck to you. ;)
@@Deankut thanks tommorrow is the start of summer for me so I can really start putting in effort to write.
Thanks bro
I'd love to be an Alpha or Beta reader for the your fantasy series. :)
Shoot me an email to chris@chrisfoxwrites.com and I'll get you on the list =)
Anyone in the comments read any of this dude's books? Are they any good? He seems to crank them out, but that doesn't often bode well when it comes to quality.
I have over 10,000 five star reviews, but I also have over 100 one stars. I've got free stuff on my website if you want to see what the quality is like chrisfoxwrites.com
I do see you have many good reviews, and your videos do offer some good information. Thanks.
Chris's nonfiction books about writing and indie publishing are stellar and reflect the kind of quality, clarity, and experience that you get from him when you watch these videos!
I think you are mixing likability and moral righteousness. Morals are relative. It isn't impossible to make a murderous rapist a likable and relatable character if the context of the story allows (something I am planning to do).
See my video on character flaws if you want my stance on morals. I agree, they are relative. The example I use is a woman having an affair. The reaction is very different if it's in 1860s Atlanta as opposed to ancient Rome.
It isn't impossible to make a murderous rapist likable, nor did I suggest that. George R.R. Martin has done it masterfully. Are you as skilled as George? If so, knock yourself out. If not, then I highly recommend paying attention to how likable your character is.
Be aware of the social fabric most of your readers use. If you break that, be prepared for extreme reactions. That doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't write that, but I write for a living. My advice is geared toward doing that. Murderous rapists rarely do well in commercial fiction unless they are being brought to justice.
Thank you for replying. What I am saying is that being a rapist/murderer or having any other trait does not make a character intrinsically unlikable as long as the trait is relatable. Murder is relative. It relies on context to be seen as either good or bad. So is everything else with perhaps the exception of pedophelia and the like.
P.S. Just to clear up something, by "flaws" do you mean internal limitations that would make it more difficult for the character to achieve his goals, or do you mean traits that the target ordinance would consider immoral?
I patently disagree. Being a rapist most definitely makes you intrinsically unlikable in a very real, and measurable way. We are a tribal society. It is certainly possible for cultures to develop than venerate rape, or murder, or anything... don't get me wrong. But your readers come from real world cultures. They will judge your characters based on their real world values. Can you point me to a major culture that venerates rape? That would not feel immediate revulsion toward a rapist? I don't think you realize how tone deaf you sound. Are you unfamiliar with the #metoo movement? Many people, both men and women, feel very strongly about rape because they've experienced it themselves. Treat it with care, or reap the consequences is all I'm saying.
As for what I mean by flaws I'd suggest you watch the video. It's less than 10 minutes. Internal limitations are certainly one type of character flaw, and social (immoral) is another. There are also physical, of course. Age can be a flaw, at either extreme. I have a system for categorizing a characters flaws, and try to ensure mine have a few in different areas. Without those they aren't really people, they're dialogue delivery systems.
I have watched you video and the confusion still remained. So I decided to ask for a clarification. To my mind to say a character is round it is the internal and external limitations that matter not his "morality" since that is relative. Making a character "morally righteous" brings them a step closer to being a Mary Sue particularly if their moral righteousness plays out for them.
As for the fact that a "rapist" and "murderous" character is intrinsically "bad" I beg to differ. In the context of a modern metropolis perhaps so, but not in every situation. The thing is that terms "rape" and "murder" are bad ones to use since they intrinsically have negative connotations. There isn't even one definition for them most would agree on. Replace them with "unwanted sex" and "killing" and they suddenly loose some of its negative connotation. Add a setting of war and chaos and they loose a lot more. Flash out the character with relatable hopes and dreams and suddenly they have lost it all. I would give an example of Jorg Ancroth from the Prince of Thorns. (not saying the book is exemplary in every regard but the main character is quite likable despite bing a "murderous rapist").
@@iamcleaver6854 Is your goal to sell books, or are you writing to create art?
Please stop the overused poor orphan character. If you don't believe me, look at Spider-Man, Batman, Ghost Rider, Aquagirl, Aurora, Superman, Bishop, Cyclops, Captain Marvel, Catwoman and Daredevil.
My character isn't an orphan, but he is poor. You're making a lot of assumptions based on a tiny dribble of information. Tell you what. I'll be you $10,000 that I can make this character one of the best in fantasy fiction. How's that sound? It's all about execution. I've written almost 30 books, and I've done this professionally for a long time.
Have you?
@@ChrisFoxWrites I wasn't criticising you (or your video). I'm actually agreeing with you. My comment was just a general comment on how superheroes tend to be (poor) orphans. Movies like The Incredibles are often the exception.
@@onee Sorry then! I'd just received an email attacking the plot discussed in the video, when the plot really isn't discussed at all.
Chris, I totally agree. It's all about execution. I've been doing research on some of the most popular UF novels by reading through reviews. I can't tell you how many times I've seen 5 Star: "I know it's the typical trope of blah, blah, blah...but the story was crafted so well it was amazing and I couldn't put it down." Let's face it, there's nothing new under the sun. It's all about bringing in your own unique perspective and to me, that translates into execution.